Box Score
DENVER, Colo. - Colorado Mines shocked Metro State, 67-65, at the Auraria Event Center tonight, snapping the Roadrunners 27-game home winning streak. Donte Nicholas (Washington, D.C./Oakton H.S.) led Metro State with a career-and-game-high 28 points.
Nicholas hit 11-of-15 at the line, marking another career high with 11 free throws. He pulled down 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double this season and seventh of his two-year career, and had a team-high three assists. Nicholas' previous career high was 25 points, set in this season's opening game against South Dakota Mines.
Brian Minor (Clovis, Calif./Clovis H.S.) also poured in 18 points, hitting 5-of-11 from the floor and 6-of-10 at the line. He added four steals and two assists.
Shakir Johnson (Los Angeles, Calif./Dorsey H.S.) blocked four shots off the bench, tying a career high.
Poor shooting plagued the Roadrunners as they shot just 37 percent from the floor, while the Orediggers connected on 47.8 percent of their shots, including 54.2 percent in the second half compared to just 30 percent for Metro State. It was the first time this season the Roadrunners shot under 40 percent.
Leading 30-28 at halftime, Metro State built an eight-point lead at 45-37 with over 12 minutes remaining in the game. But CSM went on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to tie the game at 47-47. Nicholas made a layup with 5:13 left to put Metro State ahead 56-53, but the Orediggers scored 11 of the next 13 points to lead 64-58 with two minutes left.
Trailing by four with 59 second left, Nicholas was fouled on a 3-point attempt and hit two free throws to cut the lead to 64-62. The Orediggers left Metro State with opportunities, hitting just 3-of-6 at the line in the final minute. But after Nicholas' two free throws, the Roadrunners shot just 1-of-4 from the floor and 1-of-2 at the line an had one turnover.
Colorado Mines improved to 9-9 overall and 6-4 in the RMAC, while Metro State fell to 15-3 overall and 8-2 in conference play.
Brett Green led CSM with 17 points.
Metro State hosts Colorado Christian at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30.
